Belle Wong: writer, reader, creativity junkie

The “Mom, I Don’t Like To Read” Quest (and a Mini Review of Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld)

My older son (who, by the way, would be cranky if he knew I was blogging about him, so please keep this under your hats) has always insisted that he’s not a reader.

“Mom, I don’t like to read” is a recurring refrain around here. We’ve all been hearing some variation of this phrase from the time he learned to read.

But if there’s one thing everyone in this household agrees about, it’s that he does like to read.

I’ll be upfront about this. My mission in life is to get him to one day say, “Okay, okay! I do like to read! Are you happy now?” (or some variation thereof). I call it my “Mom, I don’t like to read” quest.

The Nonfiction Segment – Accomplished

Every Christmas, he tells me at least 9.5 times, “Don’t buy me any books for Christmas this year, okay, Mom?”

Fortunately, I am as practiced at the nuances of selective hearing as my teenagers are.

So, every Christmas, there are always a few books under the tree for him. And every Christmas, you’re guaranteed to find him curled into a corner of the room, a pile of his “big” presents still unwrapped in front of him, and everyone else calling out, “Come on! We’re waiting. Put that book down and unwrap another present!” (because we are semi-organized about unwrapping our presents and like to do it together, in a sort of synchronized manner, thereby eliminating the possibility of one person being done with the unwrapping while another one still has a mound of stuff to get through.)

Somewhere along the way, I also discovered that, 80% of the time, nonfiction reading material left in my son’s vicinity will get picked up by him and yes, read by him. (This is actually a vaguely scientific finding, based on a small experiment I did where I put out ten books or magazines in places around the house where he’s known to frequent, and received the satisfaction of seeing him pick up and read eight of them.)

We have subscriptions to the Smithsonian Magazine, Discovery, and National Geographic. Every month, these magazines get left in strategic places around the house, and every month, they get read. Not by me or my husband or my daughter or my younger son, by the way. You get the drift.

So, despite the fact that he hasn’t yet said to me, “Mom, I do like to read nonfiction”, I feel a sense of accomplishment when it comes to my son and nonfiction.

The Fiction Segment – My Ongoing Quest

But I’m not really satisfied with this. I enjoy nonfiction, but to me, there’s no thrill that matches the excitement of immersing myself in a work of fiction. Deep in my heart, I just know that my son likes fiction, too.

One day, back when he was about 12, he happened to pick up an old Piers Antony Xanth novel I had lying around. It was great timing – the pun-filled Xanth universe is perfect for young teenagers.

And then I had another stroke of good luck. My sister Dawn, who is a highly organized and very tidy individual (yes, we are related, despite what you might be thinking), happened to be cleaning out her bookshelves. I mentioned that her nephew seemed to be enjoying the Xanth novel and almost instantly, or so it seemed, she was on my doorstep with a box of her old Xanth novels.

We downplayed the whole thing – I’ve learned that downplaying the whole “this is a book you’ll really enjoy” angle is extremely important, by the way (in case you’re planning on embarking on a similar quest). We put the box of Xanth novels in my son’s room, mentioned what they contained once, and once only, and then left, quietly. (I think we might have tiptoed away.)

Within two weeks, he’d read all the novels in the box.

Score one for Mom!

I’ve since worked with this method to get him reading the Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout, too. And of course, he couldn’t resist the Harry Potter novels. He also discovered the alternate history novels of Harry Turtledove (the Worldwar and Colonization series). He enjoys these novels so much he’s reread them several times.

He still says, though, that he doesn’t like to read.

My Sookie Stackhouse Triumph

Recently, I scored a major victory in my “Mom, I don’t like to read” quest. I’d signed up for the Sookie Stackhouse challenge, and in anticipation of fulfilling the challenge requirements, I’d bought the boxed set of the first seven Sookie novels.

At the time, my son had just discovered the “True Blood” television series; I told him it was based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and waved the boxed set under his nose.

Sure enough, about two weeks later, he ambled into my office and nonchalantly asked where the Sookie books were.

Without hesitation, I gave him the entire set.

He took off with them, and read them all in a week. Yes, a week!

After he finished the first book, I asked him, “So, how do the books compare to the television series?”

He gave a shrug. “The television shows are better.”

When he’d finished the boxed set, I asked him again how the books compared to the television series.

“They’re different. But they’re both good.” Pause. “So, did you say there are some more books in the series? Are you planning to get them soon?”

“Admit it! You like to read, don’t you?”

“No, not really.”

“Do you want those last three books in the series or what?” (I am not adverse to certain levels of bribery, if you really want to know.)

“MOM! That’s not fair!”

A Mini Review(-in-progress): Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld

All of this is my long-winded lead-up to a mini review of Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld. A few days ago I was out shopping and saw the book on display; I’d been hearing about it at various other blogs, so, curious, I picked it up and took a look.

“It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet,” I read from the jacket flap.

Oh my. An alternate history. Revolving around World War I. I don’t often buy newly released books in hard cover but I couldn’t resist this one.

I came home with it and gave it to my son. He glanced at it, then put it on his pillow and returned to his computer game.

“It’s an alternate history,” I piped up helpfully. “About World War I.”

He shrugged. Since I have quite a bit of experience with this kind of thing now, I left him to his game.

Late that evening, when I went to say good night to him, I found him sprawled on his bed, halfway through the book.

The next day, we had the following conversation:

Me: So, how’s Leviathan?

Him: It’s interesting.

Me: You put it down last night. Is it worth picking up to finish reading?

(Here he launched into an explanation of the various Austro-Hungarian and German forces and their weapony, and the British Darwinists’ whale airship. Alternate histories really aren’t my thing, but I listened, rapt.)

Him: But it’s not really very practical, you know. I mean, really. A flying whale?

Me: You’re still going to finish reading it?

Him: Of course. It’s a good story.

So there you go. A mini review of Leviathan from someone who insists he doesn’t like to read.

By the way, if you want to help me out in my quest, I’d love to discover more alternate histories/science fiction novels that involve either of the two World Wars!

Update: Margot gave the most brilliant suggestion in her comment. She said, “He’s a reader; he just doesn’t want to have to fit your idea of a reader.” I never thought of it like this before, but I think now that’s it exactly! So … maybe my quest isn’t as ongoing as I’d thought; just maybe, it’s already accomplished …

I think that might have something to do with it. He also doesn’t normally go looking for a book, either (except for the Sookie books) and he is actually bored when he’s at the bookstore or the library! But other than that, he acts like a reader

Cara, that’s a great idea – I hadn’t thought of steampunk. I imagine World War I would qualify as part of the era covered by steampunk. I’ll definitely have to see about Boneshaker – it sounds like it might be perfect.

LOL! But at least your daughter likes to read them! My daughter isn’t a reader, either – and unlike her brother, she truly isn’t a reader. She’s tried, because she wanted to be a reader, but she prefers films and movies.

Sounds to me like he knows he enjoys reading but just won’t admit Mom is right (once again)! I don’t read much non-fiction, but if you think he might like science fiction, I have some guy friends who love H.P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman. I’ve only read Gaiman’s “Stardust” but it’s pretty good and also has a movie based on it. Good luck on your quest!!

I’ve been wondering about Gaiman for him. I think science fiction appeals more to him than fantasy, and I’m more of a fantasy reader so it tends to be hit and miss around in here in terms of what books I have lying around. I’m on the verge of reading Doctorow’s Little Brother, and he actually picked it up and leafed through it today …

I think every family has a family member for whom a myth about his or herself is important. I can see it in others, like my mother, my husband’s mother, but not in me, but I must have them too. I wonder if we can see through ourselves to figure out what they are!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..October 16, 1888 – Birthday of Eugene O’Neill =-.

That’s a good point, Jill. It does seem to be a myth that he has about himself, one that he’s always had. I wish it wasn’t such an important myth to him!

I’d love for him to actually seek out things to read, because when he’s reading, he seems to enjoy it so much. But so far, aside from the Sookie novels, he hasn’t really done that very much. On the other hand, I guess he hasn’t had to, because there are always books lying around here!

All I can say is ….. I have a 21 year old son who is constantly telling me “Mom, I don’t like to read….” and I don’t think he has picked up a book since high school (of course, that is assuming that he actually read all the English novels he was supposed to). So, I would say you definitely have a reader and you have done a nice job helping him discover his genre of interest!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Kindle Shopping =-.

Molly, my daughter doesn’t like to read, either, and she truly doesn’t like to read! She even joined a book reading team competition event in primary school for a couple of years just to make herself read, but even though she ended up reading a lot of books as a result, she still doesn’t like reading. The really funny thing is, she gets high marks in English and is great when it comes to creative writing. She says it’s all the movies she watches!

I wish my son didn’t like to read like your son! He really doesn’t like to read He did read Band of Brothers a while back – and enjoyed it pretty much. I think that’s the first book he’s actually finished – ever. I’m getting him the sequel for Xmas
.-= Jemi Fraser´s last blog ..Giving Thanks =-.

Belle, I love this post and the conversations you’ve had with your son. It takes me back a few years. My mom used to tell me that getting teenagers (especially my son) to talk was ‘like pulling teeth’. She also told me to just wait, they’ll talk again in a few years. She was right, of course. Now all three of my adult children don’t seem to be able to stop talking, and reading, by the way. He’s a reader; he just doesn’t want to have to fit your idea of a reader.
.-= Margot´s last blog ..Look What I Found: New Cookbooks =-.

Margot, I think you hit it on the nose. “He’s a reader; he just doesn’t want to have to fit your idea of a reader.” I never thought of it like that!

You’re right about the talking – we have long and wonderful talks these days. Although I sometimes miss the times when they were little, I’m finding that my more-grown-up children are such wonderful people, and I’ve been enjoying getting to know them (as much as they’ll let me, anyway!).

I loved reading this! And you should try the Conrad Stargard series by Leo Frankowski. The first one is The Cross-Time Engineer – about a Polish engineer who gets stuck back in the Middle Ages and uses his engineering knowledge to try to help the Poles defeat the Mongols. There’s a whole series – they’re out of print, but you can usually find them used on Amazon or Half.com.
.-= Carrie K.´s last blog ..Recommendations from a non-blogger #5 – Noah (my 11-year-old) =-.

Great response by Margot. She hit the nail on the head. Your work is done, he is a reader! I actually like the idea of non-reader who reads all the time. Cute plot device!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..This Just In! The Barnes & Noble Edition (1) =-.

You have done a fantastic job of turning your son into a reader! My son is 15 and it is still a work in progress for us but after reading your blog entry I have renewed hope and a few new tricks and techniques I am going to try!
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..Bob Dylan, San Francisco, and not much reading! =-.

Yes your work is mostly done. You don’t need to hear him admit it, but you shouldn’t stop dropping crumbs of good reading along his path. I’m liking the Tomorrow series by John Marsden — war-like alternate history that takes place in Australia. Just a thought.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Awarded Three Times Over =-.

Perhaps the problem is that he knows he loves reading, but thinks it isn’t cool to do so. Perhaps he thinks his friends will tease him? Maybe you need to work on his friends – if he can see that they love reading he may be more likely to admit it. Good luck!
.-= Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..2666 – Roberto Bolaño. Part 5: The Part About Archimboldi =-.

I agree with the other commenters – he’s definitely a reader, but he probably thinks reading isn’t cool! I know it was very nerdy when I was in school and only became more acceptable as I got older. I’d just keep leaving books in his vicinity!
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..Read-a-thon prep! =-.

Sounds to me like your son actually loves to read, and now you just need to find him some really cool friends that also love to read, so that he will think it’s cool and be able to admit it. Or a star that he loves that also loves to read or something.
I’ve just read the other comments now, and I guess I’m saying that I agree with them.
My little brother never loved to read until the Harry Turtledove books.
My boyfriend had read an entire TWO whole books when I met him. Now he is an avid reader and happy to admit it.
Your son will come around in time.
.-= Audrey´s last blog ..Review: the Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson =-.

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I'm a writer, avid reader, artist-at-heart & book indexer. I blog about writing, books, art, creativity, spirituality, & the power of the imagination. Oh, and I like to write stuff about life in general, too!

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." - Stephen King

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